Drawer slide



Aug. l4, 1959 F, H; ARNl-r 2,898,159

DRAWER SLIDE Filed Feb. 16. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug- 4 1959 F. H. ARNIT v l DRAWER SLIDE 5 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1955 Aug.`4, 1959 F. H. ARNl-r 2,898,159

DRAWER SLIDE Filed Feb. 1e, 1955 s sheets-sheet s 2,898,159 u DRAwEn SLIDE Fred H. Arnit, Prospect Heights, Ill., assignor to Garden City Plating & Manufacturing Co., a corporation of mnos Y This invention relates to a drawer slide, and is particularly eoncerned'withmeans for preventing a drawer slidice Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the channels of Figs. and 6 in their operative relationship; f

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view, partly in section -and partly in elevation, showing the manner inwhieli each roller is secured to a channel member; Y Fig. 9 is a fragmentary rear end view of the mating i channels at 'one'side of the drawer, the walls ofthe ably mounted Iin a cabinet from binding dile to' slight irregularities iu constructionof either the drawer or 4cabinet in which it is mounted. V 'i The drawer is'provided with a longitudinal channel fixed to eachside, and the cabinet is provided with'aniat'- ing channel on each side. A 'rollerxed to each'of'the drawer channels is adapted to roll the' mating channel ofthe cabinet,`and each channel of the oabine'tliasxe'd to Vit a roller adapted to roll in the'channel of thefadj'acent side of the drawer. In accordance' with m'y invention, means is provided on one side V'of the drawer to permit a slight lateral movement between the 'mating channels to prevent binding of the drawer if'any slight irregularityrfexists in either theidrawer or the cabinet thatY would Votherwise cause the drawer to bind when it'issld baclt andforth in thelcabinet;

At the opposite side of the drawer each rollerisongaged on both sides' f the plane of its diameter by the edge of the channel' against which it rolls to prevent any side sway as the drawer isslid back andfforthiinthe cabinet. The edges of the channels engaging the rollers on this second sideof the drawer eachh'ave an angular configuration in transverse crossl section comprising aflat section which engages the peripheral surface of the roller in its plane of maximum diameter and two angular surfaces inclined outwardly from the outer edges of saidiat surface to contact both sides ofthe roller along planes 'of lesser diameter. i

The rollers are preferably made of nylon o'r other suitable plasticY material to reduce the noise as 'much'a's possible, butA may be made of steel. TheA outer surface of each roller may. be'rounded transversely, butI preferably is shaped to conform 'to the transverse congurationo-of the edge of the channelin which it is adapted toroll. I

The= structure' by which the above and other advantages oftheinv'ention are attained will :be described'inthe following specification, taken in conjunction `withfthe accompanying' drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment ofthe invention, in which: i

Figure 1 i's a perspective view of the drawer showing the channel structureon *one side, a cabinetV being omitted to facilitate illustration of the channel structure;

Fig.` 2 is a perspective view, similar to Fig.1, showing the drawer pulled forwardly relative to the channels of the cabinet;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view,` showing the drawer iuits fully extended position;l

Fig. 4' is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational View,

-showing the` channel and roller stfuctufe't one side'of the drawer'as the drawer is being pulled entirely the o rear rend of the drawer and the vchannel at both sid'els'V pf thedrawer in' elevation; o

Fig. l1 is a view, similar lto Fig. l, showing the channel structure ,at the opposite side of the drawer; o Fig. 12 is a View, similar to Fig'. 5, showing the channel normally iixed to the second side ofthe drawer;V j

Fig. 13 is a View, similar to Fig. 6, showing ,thechannel normally fixed to the side of the cabinet adiacentthe channel shown in Fig. 12;'` Fig. 14 is a view, similar to Fig. 7, showingthevchannels of Figs. 12and 13 in operative `relationship;and,

Fig. l5 is a fragmentary front end ,view of the mating channels at the second side of the drawenthe cabinet and drawer structure being omitted.

In the drawings, the reference numeral2 indicates a drawer comprising a bottom wall 3, front wall 4, `baci; wall 5, and side walls 6 and 7. Front wal14 is provided witha conventional drawer pull A8. The drawer is adapted to be slidably mounted in one compartment of `a `cabinet 9. vThe cabinet may consist of a single `compartment,but ordinarily comprises a plurality of compartments in vertical relationship. The cabinet comprises a bottom wall 10,' `a top wall 11, a side wallv 12 adjacent side wall 6 of the'drawenanother side wall 13 adjacent side wall 7,/.an`d a back wall which is not shown. Thefront of the cabinet is open, being closed by front wall 4 of the drawer (when thedrawer is in its rearmost position'.

An upper channel 14, movable relative to the lchannel fixed to the cabinet, is rigidly secured to side wall 6 of the drawer by means of screws 15 passing throughaperturesl.A Channel 14 comprises a at strip 17 having its top edge bent transversely to provide jan angular section 18, a at section l19 perpendicular to strip.1'7, and an angularisection 20. Sections' 1S and y2l) each extend outwardly from the, outer edges of flat. section 19. Section 19 is provided with an embossment 421 which serves as a stop member, as hereinafter described. Although it is preferred to strike embossment 21.-out,of the material of channel 14, `the stop member may be formed by welding a separate lugto the uppergedge of thechannel.

The rear portion of strip 17 is extended downwardly, as indicated at 22, and a roller 23 is rotatably secured thereto. A preferred method of securing the roller to the channel is shown in Fig. 8. Section 22 of the channel is embossed, as indicated at 24, and the embossed portion is provided with a central aperture 25. Roller 23' is provided with an integral hub 26vhaving an end V27 of reduced diameter extending through aperture 25.` The outer portion of end 27 is hollowed out and peened or spun over the edges of the channel contiguous topaperture 25, as indicated at 28.. Although roller V231 isfree ,to rotate, it is rmly held by the interengagementof hub 26 and lip 28 with opposite surfaces of the channel. .Itwill be understood that each of the rollers is secured to one of the channels in the same manner.

A lower stationary channel`29. is provided with a plurality of apertures 30, andis 'rigidly securedto side wall 12 ofcabinet 9 by screws extendingthrough the apertures. Channel 29 comprises a flaty'strip 31 which is "alignedhorizontallywithl roller 23."' The"forward portion of strip 31 extends upwardly above the fiat section 19 of upperv channel 14, as indicated at 32. The upper edge of strip 31 is bent transversely to form an angular section 33, a iiat section 34, and an angular section 3S corresponding respectively to sections` 18, 19 and 2010i channel 14. The lower edge of strip 31 is bent transversely to form oppositely disposed corresponding sections 36, 37 and 38. The opposite edges of channel 29 embrace roller 23, but are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the roller to permit some vertical play between the roller and the edges of the channel for a reason hereinafter disclosed. Y

Roller 23 is preferablyA made of nylon, or some other suitable plastic material, and is provided with a flat surface 39 in the plane of its maximum diameter and with two angular surfaces 40 and 41 on opposite sides ofthe at surface. The angularity of these surfaces conforms to the angularity of edge sections 37, 36 and 38, respectively, so that the roller 23 is engaged on both sides of its plane of maximum diameter by edge sections 36 and 38 to hold roller 23 straight as drawer 2 is slid back and forth in cabinet 9.

A roller 42 is rotatably mounted on section 32 of stationary channel ,29 in position to engage the edge sections`18, 19 and 20 of channel 14. Roller 42 is similar to roller 23 and its peripheral surface engages 'each of the angular sections 18 and 20 as well as the flat section 19 of the upper edge of strip 17. The rear `edge of section 32 has a lip 43 struck therefrom and bent to project at right angles to strip 31 just above the Vupper edge of channel 14. An angle bar 44 pivoted to section 32 at 45 rests on lip 43 with its rear end 'normally in the path of stop member 21. When drawer 2 is pulled forwardly, stop member 21 engages the rear end of angle bar 44 to limit its forward movement. If the drawer is to be removed from the cabinet, finger pressure applied downwardly against the frontend of `angle bar 44 lifts the rear end of the bar and permits lstop member 21 to pass under it.

- As drawer 2 is pulled forwardly from its rearmost position, roller 23 rolls in contact with the lower edge of stationary channel 29 and the upper edge of channel 14 engages roller 42. As the drawer passes the mid-point of its normal travel the portion of the drawer forward of roller 42 becomes heavier than the portion to the rear of said roller and tends to tilt downwardly. The slight vertical play between roller 23 and the edges of channel 29 permits the drawer to tilt slightly. Roller 23 then engages the upper edge of channel 29, thereby preventing excessive vertical movement and enabling the drawer to be slid forwardly without difliculty. The interengagement of the angular surfaces of rollers 23 and 42 with the corresponding surfaces of the upper edge of channel 14 and the upper or lower edge ofchannel 29, respectively, prevents any lateral movement between the yrollers and the channels positioned between side Wall 6 of the drawer and side wall 12 of the cabinet.

An upper channel 46, movable relative to the channel xed to the cabinet, is secured to the side wall 7 of drawer 2. Channel 46 comprises a flat strip 47 provided with apertures 48 and having its upper edge bent transversely to forrn a horizontal flange 49. The rear end of channel 46 is extended downwardly to provide an extension 50 upon which a roller 51 is rotatably mounted. A lower stationary channel S2 is secured to wall 13 of cabinet 9. Channel 52 comprises a at strip 53 having its edges bent transversely to form horizontal flanges 54 and 55 which are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the maximum diameter of roller 51. The vertical distance between flanges 54 and 55 is the same as the distance between sections 19 and 34 of channel 29. Strip 53 is provided at its forward end with an upwardly extending section 56 upon which a roller 57 is rotatably mounted. Rollers 51 and 57 are similar to rollers 23 Vand 42, and the action at the side of the drawer is similar 4 to that previously described, except for one essential difference.

As shown in Fig. 15, a clearance space 58 is provided between the outer edge of flange 55 and extension 50, and a similar clearance space 59 is provided between the outer edge of ange 49 and extension 56. A clearance space 60 is provided between the vertical planes of the outer side of roller 51 and strip 53. A similar clearance space 61 is provided between the vertical planes of the outer side of roller 57 and strip 47. Any slight irregularity in the construction of drawer 2 or cabinet 9 will tend to cause a slight lateral movement between channels 46 and 52. The lateral rigidity with which rollers 23 and 42 are held prevents any lateral movement between side 6 of the drawer and the adjacent side of cabinet 9, and accordingly all lateral thrusts are transmitted to the opposite side. The clearance spaces 58, 59, 60 and 61 permit a slight lateral movement between side 7 'of the drawer and the adjacent side of cabinet 9, thus preventing the drawer from binding if either the drawer or cabinet does have any slight irregularity in its construction. The flanges 49, 54 and 55 do not engage the angular surfaces of either roller 51 or 57, and the flat surface of either of these two rollers is adapted to roll against any portion of the at surface of the anges.

If any irregularity of construction in either the drawer or cabinet causes the drawer to sway slightly in either lateral direction, the channels and rollers between side 6 and the cabinet are held against lateral movement, but roller 51 will move laterally relative to strip 47 to cornpensate for such irregularities and allow the drawer to open freely without binding on either side of the drawer.

It will be obvious that although channels 14 and 29 are shown on the left hand side of drawer 2, they may be on either side, and channels 46 and 52 wil be on the lopposite side.

4lower edges bent transversely to provide a rolling contact with the peripheral surface of said second roller across the area of maximum diameter of said second roller and also across adjacent areas of less diameter, said movable channel having an upper edge bent transversely to provide a rolling contact with the peripheral surface of said first roller across its area of maximum diameter and also across adjacent areas of less diameter.

2. In a drawer slide, a pair of stationary channels adapted to be secured to opposite sides of an opening in a cabinet in which a drawer is to be slidably mounted, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said stationary channels, a pair of movable channels adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a drawer to be mounted in said eabinet, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said movable channels, each of said rollers having a at surface across the area of maximum diameter and an angular surface adjacent opposite edges of said flat surface, one of said stationary channels having an upper and lower edge each bent transversely at right angles to provide a rolling contact with said at surface of the roller mounted on the adjacent movable channel, and said other stationary channel having an upper and lower edge each bent transversely to provide a rolling contact with said flat surface and both angular surfaces of the roller mounted on said I radjacent movable channel.

adapted to be secured to opposite sides of an opening in a cabinet in which a drawer is to be slidably mounted, a pair of movable channels adapted to be secured to opposite sides of a drawer to be mounted in said cabinet, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said channels, each of said rollers having a llat surface across the area of maximum diameter and an angular surface adjacent each opposite edge of said ilat surface, one of said stationary channels having an upper and lower edge each bent transversely at right angles to provide a rolling contact with said at surface of the roller mounted on the adjacent movable channel, said other stationary channel having an upper and lower edge bent transversely to provide a rolling 'contact with said flat surface and both adjacent angular surfaces of the roller mounted on the adjacent movable channel, said movable channel adjacent said rst mentioned stationary 'channel having an upper edge bent transversely at right angles to provide rolling contact with said flat surface of the roller mounted on said rst mentioned stationary channel, and said other movable channel having an upper edge bent transversely to provide rolling contact with said flat surface and both adjacent angular surfaces of the roller mounted on the adjacent stationary channel.

4. A drawer mounted to slide in an opening is a cabinet having a. stationary channel secured to each side, said drawer having two side walls each provided with a channel positioned adjacent and mating with one of said stationary channels, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said channels, each of said channels having an edge bent transversely to provide rolling contact with the peripheral surface of the roller mounted on the adjacent channel, two of said mating channels having edges bent to provide rolling contact with the rollers of each other over a portion of the peripheral surface spaced from the area of a maximum diameter.

5. In a drawer slide, a pair of stationary channels adapted to be secured to opposite sides of an opening in a cabinet, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said stationary channels, a pair of movable channels adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a drawer to be mounted in said opening, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said movable channels, each of said stationary channels being engageable in rolling contact with the roller of said adjacent movable channel, each of said movable channels being engageable in rolling contact with the roller of said adjacent stationary channel, one of said stationary channels and the adjacent movable channel each having an edge extending transversely around a portion of the roller of the other to prevent lateral movement of either of said last mentioned channels relative to the roller with Iwhich it is engageable, and said other channels having horizontal flanges engageable in rolling contact with the roller mounted on the other, the outer edge 'of each of said horizontal anges being spaced laterally from the channel on which is mounted the roller with which it is engaged to provide clearance between said last mentioned channels, said last mentioned channels each being capable of limited lateral movement relative to the roller with which it is engageable.

6. In a drawer slide, a pair Aof stationary channels adapted to be secured to opposite sides of an opening in a cabinet, a pair of movable channels adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a drawer toA be mounted in said opening, each of said movable channels being adjacent `one of said stationary channels, a roller rotatably mounted on each of said channels, one stationary channel being engageable in rolling contact with the roller of said adjacent movable channel, said last mentioned movable channel being engageable in rolling Contact with the roller of said adjacent stationary channel, said one stationary channel and adjacent movable channel each being shaped to engage vertical edge portions of the roller with which it is engageable and thereby prevent relative lateral movement of said last mentioned channels when engaged with said rollers, said other stationary channel and said other movable channel having horizontal flanges engageable with the roller mounted on the other, the outer edge of each of said horizontal anges being spaced laterally from the channel on which is mounted the roller with which it is engaged to provide clearance between said last mentioned channels, said last mentioned channels being capable of limited relative lateral movement when engaged with said last mentioned rollers.

7. In a drawer slide, a pair of stationary channels and a pair of movable channels, one channel of each of said pairs of channels being adjacent one channel of said other pair of channels, rollers rotatably mounted on each of said channels, each of said channels being engageable with the roller of the adjacent channel, two 'of said adja cent channels having horizontal anges engageable in rolling contact with the roller mounted on the other, the outer edge of each of said horizontal anges being spaced laterally from the other of said two channels to provide clearance between said two channels, each of said two channels being capable of limited lateral movement relative to the rollers with which they are engageable, and a ange on one of said other two channels, said iiange being engageable in rolling contact with the roller of the adjacent ychannel and being bent transversely to engage the Side of said last mentioned roller to prevent lateral movement `of said channel provided with said transversely bent flange when it is engaged with the roller of the adjacent channel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,676,992 Bergmann July l0, 1928 1,923,853 Van Duyn Aug. 23, 1933 2,318,800 Rakow May 11, 1943 2,418,244 Baird Apr. 1, 1947 2,561,163 Walters Iuly 17, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 239,916 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1946 

